Gynaetresia (Vaginal Stenosis) Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering definitions, causes, presentations and treatments related to gynaetresia as presented in the lecture.

Gynaetresia (Vaginal stenosis)

Narrowing of the female genital tract that can involve part or all of the vagina or only the vulval opening.

Congenital gynaetresia

Vaginal stenosis present from birth due to mullerian duct canalization defects such as atresia or septa.

Acquired gynaetresia

Vaginal stenosis developing after birth from scarring, trauma, infection, surgery, radiotherapy or chemical burns.

Dyspareunia

Painful sexual intercourse, a common symptom of gynaetresia.

Apareunia

Inability to achieve vaginal penetration because of severe narrowing or blockage.

Mullerian duct canalization

Embryologic process whose failure causes congenital vaginal anomalies like atresia and septa.

Vaginal atresia

Partial or total absence or closure of the vaginal canal owing to failed canalization.

Transverse vaginal septum

Horizontal partition across the vagina formed by developmental error, leading to obstruction.

Longitudinal vaginal septum

Vertical partition within the vagina caused by incomplete fusion of mullerian ducts.

Cervical atresia

Congenital absence or occlusion of the cervical canal, rarely co-existing with a functioning uterus.

Imperforate hymen

Hymenal membrane without an opening, producing outflow obstruction and haematocolpos.

Labial agglutination (Labia adhesions)

Midline fusion of the labia minora in infants due to hypo-oestrogenic adhesive vulvitis.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Traditional cutting of female external genitalia (types I–IV) that can cause severe vulval scarring and gynaetresia.

Chemical vaginitis

Vaginal epithelial injury from corrosive agents (herbs, caustic pessaries, rock salt, deodorants) leading to stenosis.

Lymphogranuloma venereum

Chronic Chlamydia infection that may scar genital tissues and create acquired gynaetresia.

Cryptomenorrhoea

Retained menstrual blood behind an obstruction presenting as amenorrhoea with cyclical pain.

Haematocolpos

Accumulation of menstrual blood in the vagina as a result of outflow obstruction.

Haematometra

Collection of menstrual blood within the uterine cavity due to blockage.

Dysmenorrhoea

Painful menstruation that may be secondary to obstructive genital anomalies.

Dystocia

Difficult or obstructed labour that can result from vaginal scarring or stenosis.

Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

Laboratory test measuring the proportion of red blood cells; part of gynaetresia work-up.

Abdomino-pelvic ultrasound scan (USS)

Imaging study used to visualize internal genital structures and detect haematocolpos or absent organs.

Karyotype analysis

Chromosomal study (e.g., detecting XY females) applied when disorders of sex development are suspected.

Graduated vaginal dilators

Series of increasingly larger cylinders used to create or maintain vaginal patency post-surgery or as primary therapy.

McIndoe and Reed operation

Creation of a neovagina by blunt dissection and lining with a split-skin, amnion, peritoneum or bowel graft.

Williams vulvovaginoplasty

Procedure that apposes labia in front of a neovagina to form a pouch; simple, rapid and comfortable.

Uterovaginal fistula creation

Surgical connection between uterus and vaginal vault to relieve obstruction in cervical atresia.

Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) repair

Closure of an abnormal bladder-vagina communication; extensive scarring from prior repairs can cause gynaetresia.

Split-skin graft

Thin epidermal-dermal graft used to line a neovaginal cavity and prevent contraction.

Pedicle labial graft

Vascularized flap taken from the labia to reconstruct vaginal lining.

End-to-end vaginal anastomosis

Surgical joining of proximal and distal vaginal segments after excision of scarred tissue.

Obstructed labour

Prolonged labour with no fetal descent that can cause tissue necrosis and acquired vaginal stenosis.

Oestrogen cream

Topical hormonal preparation used to treat labial adhesions by promoting epithelial maturation.

Expectant management

Watchful waiting strategy allowing spontaneous resolution, e.g., in infant labial agglutination.

Psychological counselling

Supportive therapy essential before and after vaginal reconstruction to address distress and sexual issues.

Health education

Community-level promotion aimed at preventing acquired gynaetresia by discouraging harmful traditional practices.